This is an album seldom off my turntable: The Merciful Road by The Brothers Gillespie. Their third and most recent album and it feels as though they have really hit their stride. I saw them on their UK tour to promote the album and was taken by the breadth of their musicality which is clearly evident on this record.
Twelve songs in all and impossible to pick a favourite although Pilgrim Song and The Endless Road are exceptional. The Brothers are Sam and James Gillespie, both fine singers and instrumentalists who hail from the northern borders of England where the rugged landscape offers a constant inspiration to their songwriting.
Their songs combine the traditional with the best of the neo-folk movement and they are unquestionably rooted in the heritage of the best folk tradition. They are hard-working performers seldom off the road and their travels add an additional layer of storytelling to their songs and performances. Only one of the songs hasn’t been written by them, Albion certainly was, from the beautiful Bert Jansch inspired guitar intro to the soft vocal call to old England.
Their music often contains a subtle tip of the hat to American blues music and it is easy to see how that connection to English folk music is made and continues to be an influence.
For more information on the Brothers Gillespie see:
The Fell by The Brothers Gillespie
Categories: The Music Lounge
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